Julie Griffiths

Practice Manager

My name is Julie Griffiths. I have lived in Shrewsbury all my life.

I began dental nursing when I left school. I took an interest in this as I was always keen to work along side something in the medical profession. My first practice was a mixed NHS/Private practice. Whilst training for my dental nurse examination, I passed my NVQ level 2 in customer services. I gained my Dental Nurse qualification in 2000; I was so pleased and this achievement was the start of the progression of my career.

In the same year as I qualified, Boots Chemist decided to branch out into healthcare. This lead to them opening a dental practice in Shrewsbury town centre. They offered career opportunities and I immediately applied for one of the dental nurse roles. I was lucky to get accepted.

The training that we received was outstanding for its time. We were sent away for 2 whole weeks to Nottingham with the rest of the team where the bonding began. Once we were all adequately trained, we set up from scratch opening the door with no patient base at all. This was such a challenge and the practice grew from strength to strength. I had a very happy few years with Boots, also within those few years I welcomed my daughter Charlotte into the world in 2003.

Sadly, in 2004, Boots announced that they were closing all their healthcare centres. This was devastating news as we had all worked so hard to build the business, but on this negative news came positive news; I was approached by the Dental Spa, who offered me a position as a Patients’ Advisor. This was at another state of the art practice which I gladly accepted.

In 2005, I qualified as an Oral Heath Educator, which allowed me to assist at all kids clubs running at the Dental Spa and also to go out to schools to give dental health advice.

During my time at the Dental Spa, I was promoted to senior Patient Advisor after completing my BTEC level 3 as a patient care coordinator, following this I started working along side Dr Simon Reid in the minor surgery skin clinic, which led to me gaining my BTEC level 4 in laser and light based therapies. Since 2009, I have been working as a laser therapist with my own clinics offering Laser Hair removal, Tattoo removal and various other skin treatments.

In 2013, I was again promoted to Assistant Manger once completing my Practice Manager’s modern apprenticeship, taking on a joint role as Practice Manager with my colleague Caron who has also been at the dental spa for many years.

This joint role has been fantastic for us both and the Dental Spa as over the last year the practice has grown to a new level. We look forward to many more good years as a team working at the dental spa and welcoming new services as we grow.